SCOTLAND boss Alex McLeish is something of a master at the art of rapport building.

David Weir has the kind of unique mindset that enables him to enjoy tension on a huge scale.

And Barry Ferguson needs to shun negativity and accentuate the positive at Hampden on Saturday.

Those are the commendations and recommendations made by sports psychotherapist Dr Alan Curley, a man with experience of making sporting glory from unfavourable beginnings.

He went to work on Kevin McIntyre, who shocked the boxing world by beating Kevin Anderson two weeks ago to win the British welterweight title.

Years in the doldrums followed by a monumental achievement in the face of all the odds. Who does that remind you of as Scotland prepare to take on Italy in their crucial Euro 2008 qualifier?

Curley has studied Scotland's management and players and has concluded that greatness can be theirs at the weekend.

He said: "In my work, which deals with everything from addiction therapy to motivation sessions, I most often work with individuals.

"That's why I have the highest regard for what Alex has been able to do with the Scotland team.

"He clearly has an in-built motivation that gives him a convincing base to work from. He is a master of rapport building which sends the players away full of confidence and self-belief.

"It's the difference between a hesitant side and one who believe everything they hit will go into the net.

"The old school of management was to use the big stick and see if it would terrorise them into giving a performance. Alex understands players need mental focus to stick with the tactics set out for them.

"You can see how well it works when you look at someone like James McFadden and his goal against France in Paris.

"When Kevin was in the ring and his chance of a winning punch came up he'd go into a clinch rather than throw it because a wee voice in his head told him to err on the side of caution.

"McFadden tried a long-range shot in France because his boss made sure his mind was untroubled by thoughts of failure."

By the same token, the fact that 37-year-old Weir could play his last game for Scotland on Saturday will stiffen his resolve rather than weaken it. Failure to qualify for Euro 2008 would mean no more major tournaments for him.

"The young always know there'll be another day, another chance. The veterans don't so they go out and enjoy the moment. Weir's mindset has to be admired ."

The same phrase might not be applicable to Scotland's captain but Curley has a take on how Ferguson should approach the game against the world champions.

He said: "Players who dwell on negatives lose focus on the pitch. Barry should remember pressure is no use once the game starts.

"I worked with a snooker player who once told me that in practice he could hit 147 breaks regularly.

But when there was a live audience and television cameras that confidence deserted him.

"He got over-concerned by a sense of responsibility, that's what Barry has to avoid at Hampden.

"It goes without saying that he should be aware of his obligations as captain but what if everything went right for him?

"People would say he was the man who led Scotland on the greatest day of our lives. He would go down in history as the captain who got the team to their first major final for 10 years."

If big Eck gave Curley a couple of minutes with the team as the Proclaimers were on the public address system whipping the crowd into a frenzy and the dressing room door was about to open he knows how he'd spend that time.

He said: "I'd ask them to close their eyes and see what winning looked like. Who would they run to in the crowd at the final whistle? Who'd be the first person they'd call on their mobile? Who'd be given their top?

"Players are less likely to give up on their target if they can actually feel how good it is to achieve it.

When Kevin left the ring holding his Lonsdale belt I asked him if it felt as good as he'd imagined it would. 'Even better,' he said to me.

"It's what we, in my profession, call future orientation. The more you believe in your ability to do something the more likely you are to do it.

"I had a tenner on Kevin to win his fight at 12-1. How can you have odds that big when there are only two guys in the ring ? But that's how much he believed in himself.

"Scotland must have collective motivation against Italy and also psychological strength.

"That's what makes you want to go on more than the other side when tiredness sets in. It's all about emotions.

"Look right into the Italians' eyes and know that you have greater emotional motivation than them."

JAMES McFADDEN is top of Scotland's list of shots wide with eight. Italy's Antonio Di Natale and Toni are on five. Portugal's Ronaldo is top with 19.